Liyakade and the others rested in the carriage while feeling the growth of magic power within their bodies.
After defeating numerous monsters and the BOSS in the Dungeon, they all gained a considerable amount of Experience Points.
Alice leveled up from LV.26 to LV.29.
Field rose from LV.41 to LV.43.
Liyakade’s level didn’t change, but she accumulated a large amount of Experience Points as well.
Of course, the reason Liyakade didn’t level up might also be related to their trio’s ensemble—during the performance, Liyakade probably transferred a portion of her Experience Points to Alice and Field, which allowed the two to level up so quickly.
After several hours of travel, the three finally returned to the Academy.
It had only been a day since they received Darkness’s request.
Upon returning to the Academy, the first thing they did was head to the Records Room to check the Roster of students.
After several rounds of checking, they found that, as expected, there was no one named Darkness on the list.
This person wasn’t a student of the Academy at all.
Having learned this, the three of them returned to the Yorozuya, locked the doors and windows, pulled the curtains shut, and began their discussion inside, devising countermeasures.
“So…who exactly is this person calling herself Darkness?”
Alice looked at the Storage Ring and Magic Detector tossed on the table and asked the two beside her with confusion.
“I guess she’s probably related to that Demon Race who infiltrated the Royal City.”
Liyakade recalled the sense of incongruity she felt upon meeting Darkness and boldly speculated.
“From the first meeting, I thought she was strange. Her shadow seemed to point in a different direction than ours. But I didn’t pay much attention then. Thinking about it now, it’s definitely suspicious.”
“Then, the fact that she deliberately gave us a commission and led us into danger this time means she’s already targeted us, right?”
Field asked seriously.
“Yes.”
Liyakade nodded.
“Her goal is likely us… no, to be precise, it should be Alice.”
“Eh? Me?”
Alice listened to Liyakade’s reasoning, surprised, and pointed at herself.
“Yeah. Because Alice is a Light Element Magic User, who has absolute restraint over the Demon Race, that Demon Race probably wanted to eliminate you before you became too strong.”
Liyakade speculated about the intentions of the Demon Race.
“The trap she set for us this time could have caused us a lot of harm, but she didn’t take into account Liyakade’s Demon Race bloodline. Maybe she didn’t even know about it, which is why her plan failed.”
Field rested her chin on her hand, her expression grave.
“But…if she’s monitoring our movements, then Liyakade’s Demon Race heritage is probably exposed. That means she’ll create even more trouble for us in the future.”
“Field, you’re right. For now, let’s not leave the Royal City unnecessarily, even if there’s a request. Let’s lay low and see if we can flush out that Demon Race.”
Liyakade looked at the other two and suggested.
“Agreed.”
The two nodded in approval of Liyakade’s suggestion.
“But…since this Demon Race acted so quickly, it means they’re really afraid of Alice.”
Liyakade continued to analyze Darkness’s thoughts, then took out the Grade Director’s reward—the Fourfold Element Amulet—and handed it to Alice.
“Alice, wear this amulet.”
“This…this is four times the Experience Points, right? Are you sure I should have it? Wouldn’t it be better for Liyakade to become stronger…”
Alice’s pupils widened slightly as she looked at the dazzling four-colored amulet in Liyakade’s hand, seeming a bit embarrassed to accept it.
“Only if you become stronger can we resist the Demon Race, Alice. Just take it.”
Liyakade leaned closer, threading the amulet’s chain through Alice’s golden hair and placing it around her swan-like neck.
“And besides, consider it a gift from me.”
“Liyakade…”
Alice softly called Liyakade’s name, her eyes growing gentle.
Then she gave Liyakade a bright smile.
“Thank you, Liyakade. I’ll work hard to become stronger!”
“Mm.”
Liyakade looked at Alice dotingly, then promised,
“Until you grow strong, I’ll protect you, Alice.”
The reason for giving the Fourfold Element Amulet to Alice was partly because Liyakade wanted her to get stronger quickly and unlock new Skills, but also because of her own feelings for Alice.
“Alice, when you reach LV.35, you can unlock a new Skill. You’ll be able to use the guidance of the Light Element to locate nearby Demon Race, much more accurately than the Royal City’s guards or Exorcists.”
Liyakade recalled Alice’s Skills from the original work and explained to her.
“When that time comes, we’ll rely on you to root out the Demon Race hiding in the Royal City.”
“So there’s a Skill like that?”
Alice was a little surprised, looking at Liyakade with admiration.
“Liyakade, you know so much. I didn’t even know I had such a Skill.”
“Uh…I saw it in a book at home before.”
Faced with Alice’s admiring gaze, Liyakade’s mouth twitched slightly.
She almost slipped up, but fortunately, she could say she read it in a book.
The other two trusted Liyakade’s explanation.
After their brief conversation, the three decided that from today on, they wouldn’t step foot outside the Royal City, nor separate unless necessary, and during their time at the Academy, they would help Alice reach LV.35 as soon as possible to eliminate the enemies hidden within the Royal City.
“By the way, should we call Her Highness Sistem over too? Her level is higher than mine, and she’s a reliable fighter.”
Suddenly, Liyakade had a flash of inspiration and remembered that there was another top combat power among the students at the Academy.
She looked at Field, seeking her opinion.
Field was silent for a moment.
Although the series of events at the cultural festival had softened their relationship somewhat, Field still wasn’t too fond of Sistem.
However, in a crisis like this, Sistem’s strength would be a great help.
After a brief consideration, Field agreed to Liyakade’s request.
“All right, let’s call her over. We do need Sistem’s help.”
“Then let’s not waste time. I’ll go get her now.”
With that, Liyakade stood up to find Sistem.
“By the way, do you know where she is? Are you just going to look for her like that?”
“She’s a Disciplinary Committee member, right? Then let’s check the Disciplinary Committee office first.”
“Oh…you’re right.”
Field muttered softly.
Perhaps her prejudice against her own sister was a bit much.